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The Price of Pride
Last Updated:
2024-11-29 13:16:32Related chapters
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts When Anger Fades
I stood there, trembling with rage, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms. How dare she? How dare Kassandra beg for that pathetic excuse of a man’s life? Rowon didn’t deserve mercy. He didn’t deserve anything but the sharp end of Darius’s claws down his throat. But what made my blood boil wasn’t her desperate pleas—it was the audacity of her standing there, pretending to be a mother, clutching a baby when she had abandoned her own child for money. Hypocrite.I glared at her, my voice venomous as I hissed, "Darius, don’t listen to her. Finish him off. Or else we’ll both regret it one day.”The baby in her arms wailed suddenly, the sound cutting through my cold heart for a second. It was loud, desperate, almost as if it knew what I was asking. My lips curled into a bitter smirk. Trust me, kid, I’m doing you a favour.Darius turned to me, his eyes weary. “Can you hear that cry, Jade? Just imagine—our baby.”His words stopped me cold. Our baby? My breath hitched, bu
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts The Weight of Love
Darius My wolf howled in pain as I made my way back to my parents’ house. Each step felt heavier than the last, dragging me further from where I truly wanted to be—with Jade. But she needed space, and I owed her that much, even if it tore me apart inside.She was right, of course. I should’ve ended Rowon. Mercy wasn’t the safe choice, and it sure as hell wasn’t the satisfying one. If he came back for us—and he might—I wouldn’t be so generous. For the sake of his mate and their unborn child, I hoped Rowon wouldn’t be stupid enough to test me.When I pushed open the door to my parents’ home, and the scent of warm stew hit me instantly. My younger brother, Stanley, was the first to notice me, jumping up from the couch like he’d been launched by a spring.“There he is! The undefeated champion!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the house. He charged toward me and clapped me on the back hard enough to make me wince. “Man, you were amazing! The way you dodged Rowon’s strike and then co
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Finding My Way Back
JadeThe moon hung low in the sky, casting its silver light on the quiet street as I stood at the front of Darius’s house, my heart pounding harder with each second. I rubbed my palms together, biting my lower lip, my gaze fixed on the heavy wooden door.The same door I couldn’t bring myself to knock on.I paced back and forth, my boots crunching softly against the gravel path. Every time I lifted my hand to knock, I froze, imagining his mother’s face—cold and unyielding, her sharp words slicing through me like shards of ice. She hated me. She always had and never once tried to hide. I knew she’d spit venom the moment she saw me standing here, especially after our last unpleasant conversation.But Darius… I closed my eyes, swallowing the lump in my throat. I needed to see him. I needed to tell him how sorry I was for pushing him away and for not understanding his reasons in the moment. I wanted to tell him that I loved him—that I chose him, no matter what.I didn’t move. Minutes turne
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts The Enemy's Provocation
JadeThe meeting hall was abuzz with murmured conversations as I stepped inside, my hand entwined with Darius’s. Despite the warmth of his grip, my nerves jittered. This was my first official meeting as the soon-to-be Luna, and while I’d prepared for this moment my whole life, it still felt surreal.The long table, made of polished oak, stretched across the room. Seated around it were the officials, their faces a mix of stern authority and faint excitement. They all turned their heads as we entered, their eyes lingering on Darius, who carried himself with quiet confidence. His presence demanded respect, and I could already see that many of them had embraced him as the new Alpha.The chair at the head of the table—the one my father had occupied for years—was now Darius’s. He released my hand briefly to pull out my chair beside his, waiting for me to sit before lowering himself into his seat.“Darius,” one of the elders, an older man with sharp green eyes, said, his voice carrying a not
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts A Mind at War
Jade The hot water cascaded over my skin, washing away the blood and dirt that seemed to cling to my soul after today’s events. My mind swirled with thoughts of the warrior, his trembling hands, his desperate words. He’d been an orphan. No one had even noticed he was gone.My nails dug into my palms as I scrubbed my skin harder, as if I could erase the sight of his lifeless body. I owe him, I thought fiercely. I owe him justice. And then there was that letter—Alpha Jericho’s audacious demand. My scoff echoed against the bathroom tiles as I thought about it. His fifth wife? How dare he? He would pay dearly.Wrapping a towel around myself, I stepped out quickly and dressed. I couldn’t let the madness consume me. I needed a plan—a smarter, more calculated way to fight back.I had a plan—a risky one.When I entered the living room, the sound of low voices reached me. My father and Darius sat on the worn leather couch, deep in conversation. Their faces were grim, shadows cast across them
Last Updated : 2024-11-29Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts The Lie I Told
JadeThe room felt heavy, suffocating, as my parents stared at me like I’d just announced I was walking into a death trap. My father’s chair creaked as he finally leaned forward, his face turning a deep shade of red.“You want to what?” His voice was sharp, brimming with frustration. “Jade, have you completely lost your mind? Do you understand how dangerous it is out there? Alpha Jericho is hunting for you! And you’re talking about travelling to your aunt’s place? Now? Of all times?”“Dad—” I began, my voice faltering as he cut me off.“No! Don’t ‘Dad’ me!” He slammed his hand on the arm of his chair, making it creak under the force. “This isn’t just reckless, Jade. It’s insane!”“Can’t you just listen to me for one second?” I shot back, my voice trembling.“Listen? To what? Your excuses? Do you even realise the risk? You’d be walking into a death trap!” His tone was harsh, and the bond I shared with Darius made the tension unbearable.“You’ll miss the Luna ceremony!” he continued, hi
Last Updated : 2024-11-30Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Into the Beast's Den
JadeI ran for hours, my paws pounding against the earth, the sun dipping lower and lower until the sky was painted in streaks of blood red and deep orange. The forest blurred past me, and the bag of clothes clenched between my teeth felt heavier with each stride. My wolf urged me to stop, to reconsider, but I shut her out. This wasn’t about comfort or safety. It was about revenge.When the scent of the Shadow Fang territory hit me, thick with iron and decay, I slowed. The forest gave way to a clearing, and there it was—the border. Red flags snapped in the wind, skulls mounted on spikes casting long shadows. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their hulking forms alert and armed. Of course, they lived up to their name.I ducked behind a tree, shifting back into my human form. My bones snapped and reformed with a painful familiarity. Pulling the bag open, I quickly dressed in simple black trousers and a tunic, tying my hair back with trembling fingers. I couldn’t afford to look weak.Takin
Last Updated : 2024-11-30Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts A Dance with the Devil
JadeThe woman’s nails dug into my arm as she hauled me through the narrow corridors of the packhouse. The heavy air in the kitchen hit me first—a stifling mix of spices, sweat, and smoke that clung to my throat. My gaze swept across the room, taking in the sight of workers hunched over cutting boards and boiling pots, their movements sharp and mechanical, their faces blank. They looked like shadows of people, beaten down by the weight of servitude.For a moment, guilt stirred in my chest. These weren’t the monsters I’d imagined. They were people, trapped like me. Innocent. My wolf stirred uneasily. Are we any better than him if we kill them all?I shoved the thought aside. I wasn’t here for them. I was here for revenge.“This is where every wife and concubine of Alpha Jericho trains,” the woman snapped, her voice like the crack of a whip. “You’ll learn obedience here. You’ll learn to cook, to clean, and to serve. And once you prove yourself worthy, you’ll cook for Alpha Jericho perso
Last Updated : 2024-11-30
Latest chapter
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts The Battle of Hearts
Five Months Later Darius Watching your mate give life to your child is supposed to be one of the most beautiful experiences in the world.But at this moment? I’m scared out of my damn mind.Jade's screams pierced the room, each one stabbing me straight in the heart. Her hand gripped mine so tightly I thought she might break it, but I didn't care. She could crush my bones into dust if it made this easier for her."You're doing amazing, Jade," I murmured, leaning closer, brushing sweat-soaked strands of hair from her face. My voice trembled, betraying my fear even though I tried to sound strong.Her glare snapped to me, fierce enough to stop my heart. "Amazing? Amazing?" she hissed through clenched teeth. "Darius, if you ever touch me again, I swear I'll—""Understood," I cut in quickly, nodding as if my life depended on it. "No more babies. Two is plenty. Perfect number. We're done."Her eyes narrowed, and even through her exhaustion, her expression was nothing short of murderous. "O
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts The Heart of a mother
Jade“I’m so sorry, Jade,” he murmured, his voice thick with guilt. “This is all my fault.”I stared at him, stunned. “Your fault? Darius, this happened because I was foolish enough to fall for Rowon’s trap. If anything, it’s mine.”His jaw tightened. “If I had killed Rowon when I had the chance, this never would’ve happened.”I hesitated, then whispered, “What about the baby?”“The warriors are watching over him,” he said softly. “As for Kassandra, she escaped. It seems Rowon paid her handsomely to lure you into the woods.”I sighed, exhaustion washing over me. “Let’s go home,” I whispered, leaning into his warmth."No, let's go to the doctor and make sure you are okay."I clung to Darius’s shirt as he carried me into the pack hospital, his arms steady but his jaw clenched with tension. My body felt heavy, the remnants of the ritual leaving me drained and light-headed. I could hear the murmur of nurses as we entered, their whispers fading the moment they recognised who we were.“Wher
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Ritual of Deceit
JadeI swallowed the lump in my throat, though fear gripped me like an iron vice. Rowon’s smirk twisted cruelly as his hand lingered on my stomach. Disgust curled in my gut, and my wolf growled low in the back of my mind, furious and restless.“You’re a coward,” I spat, forcing the tremor in my voice to sound like rage instead of fear. “You’ll never be an Alpha—not even in death.”For a flicker of a second, his smirk faltered, but it returned, sharper and more dangerous. He leaned in close, his breath hot against my ear. “We’ll see about that,” he murmured darkly before stepping back. “Start the ritual.”The witches’ chanting rose, their guttural words filling the room. The air thickened with the scent of burning herbs, and smoke swirled around us, clawing at my lungs. My wrists strained against the restraints as I thrashed, desperate to get free. I could feel the pulse of the ritual building—a suffocating energy crawling under my skin.“Darius,” I screamed in my mind, the bond betwee
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Into the Wild
JadeTrue to his word, Darius barely left my side. At three months pregnant, I was under what felt like constant surveillance—his. He’d even started sleeping lighter than usual, as if waiting for me to sneak off on some other reckless mission. Not that I could, even if I wanted to. The doctor had already warned me: the stress I’d put my body through during the Jericho ordeal had made the baby delicate. Luckily, Darius’s blood in my veins worked overtime, protecting both me and the little life growing inside me.The pack had practically erupted with praise when the news spread about how I’d taken down Jericho and his warriors. They called me a hero, the "Alpha Woman," the "Greatest Luna," among a dozen other titles that left me simultaneously embarrassed and amused. Strangers travelled from all corners of the werewolf world to join our pack, swelling our numbers and expanding our land. My name was on everyone’s lips, from council meetings to campfires. And the male admirers? Don’t get
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts A Life Unplanned
JadeThe world around me was a haze of muffled voices and distant sounds, like I was underwater. My eyelids felt impossibly heavy, but the low growl of a voice cut through the fog, sharp and furious.“You said she’d be fine after the blood transfusion!” Darius’s voice, deep and vibrating with restrained rage, yanked me from the void.I forced my eyes open, my vision swimming before it landed on the scene before me. Darius had the doctor pinned against the wall, his hand gripping the man’s throat. The doctor clawed at Darius’s wrist, his face turning an alarming shade of red.“Darius…” My voice was a croak, barely audible, but it was enough. His head snapped toward me, the fire in his eyes instantly replaced by something softer—relief. He let the doctor go, and the man crumpled to the floor, gasping and clutching his neck.Darius was at my side in an instant, his hands cradling my face as if I were made of glass. His stormy eyes searched mine, desperate and worried. “Jade… you’re awake
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts A Deadly Return
The heavy wooden table in the council room felt like a prison wall keeping me trapped. My nails tapped against its surface in a rhythm that matched the ticking clock. Every second stretched too long, every minute a reminder that Jade wasn’t here.The emotions festering in my chest weren’t mine—or at least they didn’t feel like mine. Anger, disgust, annoyance—they twisted together like a venomous knot, suffocating me. I couldn’t tell if it was my wolf or something else clawing at me from within. My mind kept replaying our argument bitterly, like an open wound. If only I hadn’t gotten angry with her. Maybe then she wouldn’t have left without me. Maybe I could have been there to ensure her safety. But no—I had been furious when she told me she was going alone. Furious that she wouldn’t let me tag along. Furious at the walls she always seemed to put up. And now, that anger made everything worse, twisting the knife of regret deeper into my chest.She’d claimed she was visiting her aunt, b
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts Revenge Served Cold
JadeThe hall was silent for what felt like an eternity, and I swore for a moment my heart stopped. Then Jericho barked a laugh. “Fine! A toast it is. Someone bring the wine!”The crowd cheered as the bottles I’d cleaned—and poisoned—were brought forward. My pulse pounded in my ears as cups were filled and passed around.Jericho lifted his glass high, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. “To power! To victory! And to my new wife!”The crowd echoed his words, raising their glasses with fervor. The hall buzzed with anticipation as Jericho brought his glass to his lips. I watched breathlessly the poison-laced wine gleaming under the flickering light of the chandeliers.My pulse thundered in my ears as I stared at him, willing him to drink. For the first time that night, true fear gripped me. Would it work? Would anyone notice? My wolf’s growl was a steady hum in my mind as I waited for the first sip…But just as the rim of the glass touched his lips, he froze, a sly smirk creepin
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts A Trap of her own Making
JadeMy hands were raw from scrubbing those godforsaken plates last night. Every joint in my body screamed with exhaustion, but that wicked woman, whose name I’d overheard was madam Amara, wasn’t about to let me rest. She had loomed over me the entire time, barking orders and making snide remarks. She would be the second person I kill after I’m done with Jericho.I had stolen a few precious hours of sleep, but it wasn’t enough. My wolf kept me on edge, her instincts sharpening my awareness. Any moment now, I knew Amara would come banging on my door again.The knock came as expected, sharp and impatient.“Up, girl!” Amara’s voice grated against my nerves as I opened the door, still in my maid’s uniform. “Don’t think today’s your wedding, so you can lounge around like some entitled princess.”I blinked at her, a flash of anger heating my blood. “It is my wedding day,” I muttered, just loud enough for her to hear.Her thin lips curled into a mocking smile. “Wrong. Today’s a celebration f
Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts A Dance with the Devil
JadeThe woman’s nails dug into my arm as she hauled me through the narrow corridors of the packhouse. The heavy air in the kitchen hit me first—a stifling mix of spices, sweat, and smoke that clung to my throat. My gaze swept across the room, taking in the sight of workers hunched over cutting boards and boiling pots, their movements sharp and mechanical, their faces blank. They looked like shadows of people, beaten down by the weight of servitude.For a moment, guilt stirred in my chest. These weren’t the monsters I’d imagined. They were people, trapped like me. Innocent. My wolf stirred uneasily. Are we any better than him if we kill them all?I shoved the thought aside. I wasn’t here for them. I was here for revenge.“This is where every wife and concubine of Alpha Jericho trains,” the woman snapped, her voice like the crack of a whip. “You’ll learn obedience here. You’ll learn to cook, to clean, and to serve. And once you prove yourself worthy, you’ll cook for Alpha Jericho perso
